diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/SystemUiProxy.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/SystemUiProxy.java
index 26fcb522f1..1f99d6e80a 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/SystemUiProxy.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/SystemUiProxy.java
@@ -1117,6 +1117,9 @@ public class SystemUiProxy implements ISystemUiProxy {
      */
     public boolean startRecentsActivity(Intent intent, ActivityOptions options,
             RecentsAnimationListener listener) {
+        if (mRecentTasks == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
         final IRecentsAnimationRunner runner = new IRecentsAnimationRunner.Stub() {
             @Override
             public void onAnimationStart(IRecentsAnimationController controller,